Why these books?

A Farewell to Arms:
Nobel Prize Winner
101 Great Books Recommended for College Bound Readers (from the College Board)

As I Lay Dying:
Nobel Prize Winner
101 Great Books Recommended for College Bound Readers (from the College Board)

Beloved:
New York Times Article
Nobel Prize Winner
101 Great Books Recommended for College Bound Readers (from the College Board)

Catch-22:
Time Magazine
101 Great Books Recommended for College Bound Readers (from the College Board)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest:
Time Magazine

Slaughterhouse Five:
Time Magazine
Critical Companion to Vonnegut- Page 13
101 Great Books Recommended for College Bound Readers (from the College Board)

The Bell Jar:
101 Great Books Recommended for College Bound Readers (from the College Board)

The Kite Runner:
Reading Group Book of the Year- 2006
US Bestseller #3- 2005
Awards